The audience fell silent. Even those audience members hired by Javier to fill the seats were affected by Sean's speech that explained the ordeal faced by Nina. In the end, they cast disdainful and acrimonious looks at Sophia.Once again, Alyssa was brought back to the scene of Nina's brutal death. Feeling heartbroken, she covered her ears with her hands and shut her eyes tightly, feeling like she was in an enclosed space. Sweat dotted her forehead as she struggled to breathe."Lyse, don't think about it. I'm here for you," Jasper comforted her and pulled her into a hug. He guided her to rest her forehead on his shoulder.Although Nina wasn't Alyssa's family, Alyssa's kind soul was irreparably scarred and traumatized after witnessing Nina's death."Jasper… I feel like I'm at fault," she sobbed and whispered in his ear.Her words nearly broke his heart. Tearing up, he consoled her, "Don't say that. Lyse, you're not at fault. The two people in the dock are the sinners."After Sean d
Without Sophia's strategies, Betty could not survive, like a parasite who had left its host.Meanwhile, Sophia and Jeffrey were attacking each other in court, bringing Javier so much shame that he wanted to leave the scene.After the plaintiff and the defendant delivered their opening statements, the trial entered the most crucial round of witness examination and questioning.It was Simon's time to spring into action. Chuckling, he stretched and stood up relaxedly. "Mr. Snyder, you claimed that the defendant paid you off to get rid of Ms. Carle, but there's no evidence to back up your claim. I have a reason to suspect that you're lying and framing my client to get away from your crime.""I did not lie! I told the truth. I never had any exchange with the maid at all. Why would I kill her for no reason?" Jeffrey nervously defended himself.Sean fixed a stern gaze on Simon's animated face and silently clenched his fist. The secret recordings by Nina were in Sean's possession. She had
Sean had kept his silence during Simon's animated cross-examination, which made him appear like he was at a disadvantage.Seated in the public gallery, Tatiana felt her heart leaping into her throat. Her eyes were sore from focusing on Sean throughout the proceeding.Worried about Sean, she hated that she couldn't be of help to him. All she could do was to silently cheer him on."We'll pass the floor to the plaintiff's defense," Steven announced and gave Sean a look of affirmation.The Lynch brothers rarely interacted with each other as adults. They were not as close as other siblings, and on top of that, they were active in different professional fields. Still, Steven and Sean were at least upright, never once acting against their principles compared to the corrupted Simon.Meanwhile, Simon had always looked down on Sean and repeatedly described Steven as a strait-laced, puritanical goody-two-shoes. Simon perceived himself as the pillar of the family, staunchly believing that he,
"Of course, Your Honor." Sean regained his composure and cast a loaded look at Alyssa and Jasper's direction.The couple gave him a stern nod, after which he proceeded to land a sharp gaze on Sophia, "Sophia Kirkman, you claim that you have never committed murder. I will repeat my question to you. Are you telling the truth? This is your last chance at coming clean."Simon nearly burst out laughing at Sean's crude tactics. He glanced disdainfully at his silly brother, thinking, "Sean, you are too inexperienced to take me down. How dare you think of winning against me in court by asking that stupid question? Only a fool would admit to murder.""No! I can't even hurt a fly. I would never murder a human being," Sophia confirmed while her mind whirled. Thinking back about the past, she had always instructed others to do the dirty work for her. Given her stature, she would never dirty her hands. Therefore, she announced confidently, "Ask me as many times as you want. My answer remains t
Sophia's mind raced as she tried to come up with a strategy. In the end, she came to a conclusion. It had been 20 years since the incident, and 20 years had already passed. So what if Tessa was here to give her statement? She hadn't witnessed the entire incident with her own eyes. All the evidence was also long gone. The thought of that made Sophia feel more at ease. She straightened her back slowly. Javier stared at Tessa in surprise. For a number of years, Tessa attended closely to his beloved Anne. Despite that, he couldn't recall who she was. Alyssa's heart was pounding. The pace of her breathing had become uneven. Fortunately, she had Jasper by her side. He had his arm around her waist. He comforted her in silence. It helped her calm her racing heart. She wasn't the type of person to lose her patience. This time, however, was different. This was something related to the person she loved the most. It was a crucial fight. This deep-seated hatred had been building up
There was an uproar in the courtroom. This took the entire nation by surprise! In an instant, all the blood had drained from Javier's face. He felt as if his seat had been set ablaze. Without a care for anything else, he shot to his feet. He looked at Sophia in disbelief. Anne… Didn't she commit suicide because she had severe depression? Why had it become a homicide? How could Sophia be the murderer? She was the woman with whom he had shared the same bed for 20 years! "I… I didn't… It wasn't me!" Sophia met Javier's gaze. She shook her head while crying. Jasper diverted his cold gaze toward Javier slowly. He noticed that Javier's face was as pale as a sheet. Deep down, Jasper was full of bitterness and resentment. He couldn't help but let out a piercingly cold sneer. Javier was a frigid man. Until now, Jasper had never seen him express any heartbrokenness over Anne. But, more than that, he felt doubtful. Javier wasn't feeling disturbed because of his love for Sophia. He w
Jasper had heard Tessa's testimony many times in private. Even so, the pain in his heart was just as piercing as when he heard it for the first time. "Fentanyl is a type of analgesic. Its usage is banned in the country. Even a slight overdose could cause death." Tears of hatred welled up in Alyssa's eyes, which had already turned red. She had a mother, too. She could completely empathize with Jasper's pain. Everyone present in court was staggered. The attendees in the public gallery began to chatter among themselves. Simultaneously, the live broadcast was being streamed on the court's official website. The livestream page was also filled with a stream of comments. From the commencement of the hearing until now, the court's official website witnessed an unprecedented surge in viewership, reshares, and comments."Sophia was also involved in a homicide? Is she the wife of a plutocrat, or is she the devil?""So, Jasper isn't an illegitimate child! Sophia married into the Becket
Tessa conveyed everything that she knew. She had just let out her anguish and frustration, which she had suppressed for 20 years. After that, she slumped back into the chair. She was drenched in sweat. At this moment, she felt guilty. She regretted it from the bottom of her heart. She hated herself for being 20 years late in revealing the truth.If only she hadn't been so greedy at the time. If only she could've been brave enough to withstand Sophia's threats and testify that she had murdered Anne. If so, Anne could've rested in peace. As for herself, she wouldn't have had to be away from home and suffer for 20 years. She was really foolish back then. Sophia was just Javier's mistress at that time. Why did she have to fear such a lowly woman? If Javier and Anne reconciled, there was no way that Sophia would've become Javier's wife. She wouldn't even have remained in the Beckett family. Sophia might have been carrying Javier's child, but she would've ended up having to leave.
Despite his age, Newton exuded the same energy and sharpness he had in his younger days, even when surrounded by the board members brimming with vigor. Despite his quiet presence in the wheelchair, an intimidating atmosphere clung to him. In an instant, Javier was transported back to the days when he worked under Newton's strict supervision."Good day, Mr. Javier and all fellow board members. I assume no one has any objections to my presence at this meeting?"Newton's gaze swept across the room, a perfunctory smile gracing his lips."Of course not. You are part of the corporation's board of directors!" the members responded immediately.Newton nodded. "Much has happened within the corporation lately. Our shares have been fluctuating amid the controversy. "As you all know, I had intended to retire after dedicating most of my life to this company. I wanted to step aside for the younger generation rather than hover over them like a specter, micromanaging everything. "However,
Jasper's arrival plunged the conference room into an uneasy silence, and heavy tension settled over the space. Justin looked up, his expression a frozen mask. A palpable chill emanated from him. Javier's eyes widened in surprise. "Jasper? What are you doing here?" "Even though I'm no longer the president of Beckett Group, I remain a shareholder and board member. It's only natural for me to be here," Jasper replied smoothly as he strolled to his seat. As he passed behind Justin, he abruptly stopped. Without a moment's notice, he struck the back of Justin's chair. The sudden impact made Justin flinch. "Am I right, Justin?" Justin's expression darkened. Forcing a smile, he replied, "As a board member, you have the right to attend, even if you're no longer involved in operations. There's no issue.""If that's the case, why wasn't I informed about this meeting?" Jasper lowered himself into his seat, legs slightly parted, exuding an air of indifference. Yet, beneath the nonc
Beckett Group was, in essence, Javier's heart and soul, forged from his own labor. "Justin set me up, framed me for drug addiction, and bribed my primary physician to give false testimony—all so he could drag me down. The fact that he dared to target me like this means he's willing to betray anyone."Jasper took a deep breath, forcing down the rage roiling inside him as Javier remained silent. "Fine. Even if you insist this is just a family matter, Justin's reputation is already in ruins, and the corporation's stock prices are fluctuating. Are you really going to stand by him, even now?""Justin has explained everything to me. He wasn't aware of the bribery. That female doctor who worked for him acted on her own. Besides, she's been arrested. The backlash against Justin will settle in time…"Jasper listened, his face unreadable, but his heart clenched painfully. A lump rose in his throat, suffocating him.He had lost his mother at a young age, but he had never longed for his fa
Julien's merciless, hate-filled words hit Jonah like a ton of bricks. The pain was unbearable, a gut-wrenching ache that shattered his heart.Under the dim lighting, Julien vaguely noticed a sorrowful tear forming at the corner of Jonah's eye. But before it could fall, Jonah forced a blink, swallowing his emotions whole. Despite Jonah's attempt to brace himself, sorrow engulfed him, a tidal wave of despair. His features mirrored the devastation ripping through his heart. As Evan opened the driver's side door, Julien lurched forward and vomited again. The sickening sound of him retching echoed in the air as if he were expelling everything inside him. "Judas, Mr. Lovelace looks like he's suffering from alcohol poisoning. We should take him to the hospital."Evan's worry deepened at Julien's condition. Jonah wordlessly removed his suit jacket and began cleaning the mess in the car. His chest tightened painfully as he watched Julien groaning, clearly suffering. Then, without he
Jonah's gaze burned with a mix of longing, sorrow, and something deeply affectionate. The world swam back into focus as Julien looked at Jonah. Without preamble, he asked, "Are you new? How much do you charge per night?"Light-headed and grinning, Julien reached out a hand, his fingers brushing softly against Jonah's cheek. "You're pretty good-looking," he said, his voice slurred. Then his expression shifted. "Why do you… look so much like someone I hate with every fiber of my being?"Jonah's heart clenched. Even so, he slid his arms around Julien's waist. Trembling, he pulled Julien into his arms. "I'm new here. Could you help me meet my target tonight, Mr. Lovelace?"Julien's eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Jonah. Jonah's eyes teared up as he held Julien's waist tightly. "I promise you won't be disappointed," he said, his voice deep. Watching from the shadows below the stage, Evan nearly gagged at Jonah's sultry tone. Was this really the Judas he knew? The man sounded downri
The bar was alive with striking lights and thundering music, and the air was thick with the scent of tobacco and alcohol. The atmosphere was one of moral decay—corrupt, degrading, and vile. "Where's Julien?" Jonah's voice cut through the noise, his tone icy and sharp. When Jonah stepped inside, the eyes of several men turned toward him, their gazes filled with illicit intent."Why, hello there. Are you here alone? Are you feeling lonely?" A sexy man sauntered over, draping himself over Jonah's shoulders. He let his hands linger with a playful squeeze. "If you're bored, I'd be happy to keep you company." Jonah's expression darkened. His hands trembled, veins bulging with barely contained rage. Suddenly, Evan burst through the crowd, his face twisting in alarm at the sight of Jonah surrounded by a swarm of predatory men. Evan yelled, "Don't touch him!" A heavy thump reverberated through the room. Gasps erupted as people scrambled back.The man who had draped himself over
Rafe stated, "But Beckett Group is in the middle of a storm right now. If I insisted on giving your corporation the project, my superiors would investigate me. I wouldn't be able to escape unscathed!""If you're investigated, I'll make sure you can still live a life of luxury—even if you lose your job." Justin's tone darkened. "But if you turn against me, you won't just suffer a few losses. You'll lose everything."Under the dim moonlight, Justin fiddled with his antique tea cup, his gaze narrowing. "You've worked so hard to get to where you are. Are you prepared to lose it all?"After ending the call, Justin turned to Remy, who stood quietly at the side. "Sheryl is still being detained. She can't be bailed out for another two days. I need someone to watch over the research lab. You'll handle that."Remy was taken aback. "I failed my last mission. Aren't you going to punish me?"Justin's smile was cold and insincere. "It wasn't your fault. You were ambushed. If not for that, I tru
Remy pursed his lips, bending down to pick up the fallen poker card. It was the King of Spades—an entry pass to Kings' Club. "My attacker was…" Remy's pupils constricted as he tightened his grip on the card. "It can only be that dear uncle of mine, always claiming to see me as his own son." Justin's lips curled into a sinister smile. "He's trying to get rid of my right-hand man, taking advantage of my internal feud with Jasper. Weakening me is just his first step toward gaining control over me."He's been a fugitive ever since his successful prison break, never returning to Cyrris after receiving his life sentence. His power base remains in Kontina. "I'm the last surviving Dutton. The Dutton Group, as a cover, has declared bankruptcy and severed all ties with the country. "My dear uncle has taken a huge risk just to target me. He sent his men to attack you in Solana City. What a delightful surprise. It seems he truly doesn't trust me, his only remaining family."Remy lowere
The hospital ward grew heavy with silence. Mandy and Neil stared at Alyssa, stunned beyond words. "M-Ms. Alyssa, you knew that man was Mr. Damien?" Neil asked, disbelief etched into his voice. "Yes." Alyssa's reply was quiet, her lips pressed into a thin line. She lowered her gaze, her voice barely above a whisper. "We found out when Cyrus took Damien's cigarette butt for a paternity test."Mandy approached Alyssa, her shoulders trembling slightly. "So, you and Cyrus knew… and you both kept it from me?" Mandy said, her voice catching in her throat, tears welling up. Alyssa felt a sharp pang in her chest. "Mandy, I'm sorry. It was my decision. Cyrus had nothing to do with it."Mandy's tears fell freely now, her grief spilling out in raw sobs. "Do you know what it's been like for me all these years, thinking Damien was gone? Winston, Miley, Lyla, and Colene kept telling me to move on. I tried to accept that he was dead, that we'd never find his body. But I never did."Her vo